Why teachers took to the streets in Nepal? Strike announcement across the country, this demand put before the government

Kathmandu: Teachers in Nepal announced a general strike on Monday under the banner of Nepal Teachers Association demanding the new School Education Act. According to local media reports, the purpose of the strike is to increase pressure on the government to meet its demands.

The Federation, the major organization of school teachers in Nepal, appealed to teachers across the country to close their schools and join Kathmandu and join the protests. The federation directed the teachers to avoid fulfilling other responsibilities including preparing the result. The federation’s statement said, “A general strike has been announced in schools from April 7 to strengthen the ongoing movement. We appeal to all teachers and employees to close all schools across the country and participate in the educational movement in Kathmandu.”

Nepal’s Education Minister Bidya Bhattarai told Nepal’s leading newspaper Kathmandu Post, “The government called him several times. I personally called the federation president for talks and also met the protesters during the protest.”

The minister said, “He has refused to talk, he argues that there is nothing to discuss.” According to local media reports, teachers across the country are being gathered in Kathmandu from April 2 to demand the implementation of the School Education Act. This act is pending in Parliament despite the government’s commitments.

Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel on Tuesday postponed the Session of the Federal Parliament on the government’s recommendation without approving the School Education Bill. The Bill has been pending in the House Committee for one and a half years.